While CUPE 905 members at the City of Richmond Hill are on strike for fair wages that keep up with the cost of living, data shows that managers at the city have received double-digit raises over the past three years- some as high as 36% and 48%.

According to salary data accessed through Ontario’s sunshine list, staff in top positions at the City of Richmond Hill received significant pay raises from 2020-2023, including the Commissioner of Planning and Building Services, which saw their salary balloon 36.72%, from $242,464 to $331,500 annually- over three times the annual household income in Richmond Hill. Similarly, the Manager of Plans and Review Compliance received a 48.75% raise, over eight times the percentage increase CUPE 905 members who are currently on strike at the city received over the same time period.

“The message sent by management to CUPE 905 members is that raises are fine for them, but when it comes to paying fair wages for those who actually do the work to keep the city running, they aren’t interested,” said CUPE Local 905 City of Richmond Hill Unit Chair Jake Matta.

“Some of the raises received by management add up to more than many of our members make in an entire year, yet we are told that they don’t have the money to pay their workers fairly. All we are asking for is fair wages that keep up with inflation so that our members can afford to live in the community they work in.”

The CUPE 905 bargaining unit includes workers who maintain parks, arenas, community centres, roads and sidewalks, ensure clean drinking water and produce all events at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.  

More information on salary increases for City of Richmond Hill managers, along with annual salary increases for CUPE 905 members who work at the city, can be found in the tables below.

City of Richmond Hill Management Salary Increases, 2020-2023

Position

Starting Salary

Salary 2023

Percent Increase

Manager, Plans and Review Compliance

$124,656 (2020)

$185,434

48.75%

Commissioner, Planning and Building Services

$242,464 (2020)

$331,500

36.72%

Director, Rec and Culture

$157,744 (2020)

$206,823

31.11%

Commissioner, Corporate and Financial Services

$224,711 (2020)

$289,381

28.78%

Human Resource Business Partner

$106,888 (2020)

$127,111

18.92%

Director Community Services

$229,386 (2022)

$254,056

10.75%

City Manager

$293,213 (2022)

$315,411

7.57%

CUPE 905 Member Salary Increases, 2020-2023

Year

Percent Increase

2020

1.25%

2021

1.25%

2022

1.6%

2023

2.0%

TOTAL 2020-2023

6.1%

 “Municipal workers across the province are tired of seeing huge compensation increases for upper management while they are struggling to get by. Public services should benefit the entire community, not concentrate exorbitant compensation for those at the top.” said CUPE 905 President Katherine Grzejszczak. “Our members are holding strong, waiting for Mayor David West and Council to bring back a fair deal so we can get back to serving Richmond Hill.”